Machine for printing arc-lamp carbons



C. W; JOHNSON MACHINE FOR PRLNTING ARC LAMP CARBONS May 25 1926.

Filed July l INI/EN TOR.

Patented May 25, 19,26.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

CABL W. JOHNSON, 0F BROOKLYN, YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN MACHINE &

' FOUNDBY COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR PRINTING ARC-LAMP CARBONE.

Application led July 1v,A

This invention relates to a machine for printing arc-lamp carbons and similarly shaped articles having a smooth surface capable ofV retaining ink impressions.

After an arc-lamp carbon has been roughly formed, it is ground to a predetermined size, and when so ground it presents a suitable surface to receive ink impressions.

I-Ieretofore, in the manufacture of such carbons, it has been customary to imprint upon the smooth surface of the article the maker-s name or trade-mark, or both. This printing of the carbons has been heretofore accomplished by a manual stamping operation similar to rubber stamping. Printing in this way is slow and is otherwise objectionable for the reason among others, that by a manual -operation the imprint is not always correctly placed on the surface of the carbon. The main object of the present invention is the production of a machine for the printing of arc-lamp cai-bons having a capacitymany times as great as that of a manual operator and doing better Work. A further object of the invention is the production of such a machine Which is simple in construction,` inexpensive to build and maintain, and With high capacity and efficiency. With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations Which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a .part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicatel the same or like parts, Fig.` l is a sectional elevation, viewed from the front of a ma chine constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, but with certain parts omitted in the interest of clarity of illustration.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a device for supporting a plurality of carbons to be printed, mechanism for arranging said carbons'in a row, `and means for successively printing and ejecting the carbons so arranged. In the best constructions the carbon supporting device includes a hopper having an adjustable end wall against which the carbons are aligned, the purpose of the adjustment being 1924. Serial No. 728,487.

to provide for carbons of different lengths which may be printed in the machine; the hopper has an open end through. which the carbons are loaded endwise thereinto, thus avolding the danger of breakage were the cal-bons to be dumped into the hopper through its top; the hopper has a carbon delivery throat in its bottom coacting with a chute which forms a part of the mechanism for arranging the carbons in a row. In the best constructions also, the mechamsm for arranging the cai-bons in a row in cludes means for agitating the carbons in the supporting 'device to prevent bridging of two carbons across theidelivery throat of said device; a chute receiving carbons from the supporting device by the action of gravity; means for temporarily holding the row of carbons in the chute; and means for successively releasing carbone from said chute at regular intervals, so that they may pass directly to the printing and ejecting means. In the best constructions also, said printing and ejecting means includes a drum having printing means on its perimeter, an arcuate surface concentric with said perimeter and coacting therewith to roll a carbon therebetween immediately after it is released from the chute of the arranging mechanism; the drum has a plurality of printing pads on its perimeter so that high production speed may be obtained from low machine speed; means are provided for rotating the drum and for supplying ink to the printing means; and ejecting belts are provided for carrying the printed carbons out of the machine. The foregoing parts may be Widely varied in construction Within the scope of the claims, for the particular device selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same, and the invention therefore is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, 3 indicates side frames which serve to support the various parts of the machine. These side frames are connected by transverse Vmembers l and 5 and by bars 6. The upper part of each side frame 3 is forked to form sloping arms 7 through which the bars 6 pass and to which they are rigidly held.

The bars 6 support a hopper generallyl sus indicated by the reference character 8,

Jwhich is open at one end to permit the loading of carbons endwise thereinto. Opposite the open end of the hopper which is indicated by the reference character 9, the hopper is rovided with an adjustable end wall 10 sli able toward and away from the open end 9 and held in adjusted position by means of thumb screws l1 of well known construction and operation. When the carbons are loaded into the hopper, their leading ends abut the adjustable end wall 10 and the adjusted position of this wall determines the position of the imprint to be made on the carbons with respect to their leading ends, so that, regardless o f the length of the carbon, the imprint will always be a definite distance from its leading or free end. The hopper 8 also has sloping bottom sections 12 and 13 converging below the center of the hopper.

'belts projects through slots 17 cut in the of the hopper and there forming a delivery throat 14 for the carbons.

Normally the carbons are caused by gravity to pass downwardly through the delivery throat 14 to mechanism for arranging them in a row. This delivery throat, however, is not wide enough to permit two carbons to pass therethrough at the same time and to .prevent the bridging of the throat by two carbons across the same, thereby holding back the whole mass of carbons, the arranging mechanism includes means for agitating the carbons in the hopper. With this end in view, there is provided two belts 15-15 running over pul eys 16 located just below the sloping bottom .13 The operating run of these sloping bottom section 13, so that it will enga e several' carbons at the delivery throat and along the bottom section 13. These belts operate continuously in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. To drive them, the lowermost pulleys 16-16 are fast on a shaft 18 which is driven by a gear 19 fast thereon and in meshwith and driven by a gear 20 which is fast on a shaft 21 journaled in suitable bearings in the side frame 3 and rotated by means of a pulley22 fast on the end of the shaft 21 opposite the gear 20. The pulley 22 is operated in a Well known manner by means of a belt, not

lshown. The movin'g belts 15 have a -tendency to move a part of the carbons in the hopper adjacent its delivery throat 14 away from said throat. The weight of the mass of the carbons in the hopper resists this movement. The resultant of the two opposing forces is agitation of the carbons in the hopper ad'acent the delivery throat, so that the car ons in the hopper which actually pass out through the delivery throat are those at the time lying" against the slopin bottom 12 ofthe hopper.

The mec anism for arranging the carbons in a row further includes a chute 23 immediately below the delivery throat 14 and receiving carbons through said throat from the hopper. By the passage of the carbons through the chute 23 they are arranged in a row in order that they may be successively printed and ejected from the machine. The printing, however, occurs only at intervals so that it is necessary to automatically hold a row of carbons in the chute 23 until the proper time arrives for releasing them one at a time. With this end in view, there is provideda'primary detent consisting of two lingers 24 fast on a small shaft 25 extending across the machine and carrying a cam arm 26 which in turnv car- `ries a cam bowl 27 tracking in a suitable groove in the outer face of a cam 28 which is fast on the shaft 21 before referred to. By means of the structure just described, the fingers 24 are moved in and out of the chute 23 at its lowermost end at regular intervals.

When the lowermost carbon in the chute 23 is released to be printed, the remaining carbons in the chute must be held therein and to accomplish this there is provided a secondary detent including two fingers 29, these fingers being loosely mounted on the shaft 25 and connected beyond the same to a bar 30, one end of which is carried by an arm 31 loose on the shaft 25, the other end of the same being carried on one arm of a cam lever 32 also loose on the shaft 25 and carrying a cam bowl 33 tracking in a suitale groove on the inner face of the cam 28 before referred to. Two grooves in th'e cam 28 are so related that when the lowermost carbon in the chute 23 is to be released to be printed, the secondary detent is moved into the chute to enga'ge the second carbon from the bottom. Then the primary detent 24 moves out of the chute, releasln the lowermost carbon. As soon as this owermost carbon has passed beyond the primary detent 24 the latter again moves into the chute, and the secondary detent 29 moves out of the chute. When this occurs, the Whole column or row of carbons in the chute drops until arrested by the primary detent 24 and another carbon enters the top of the chute.

After the carbons have been arranged in a row, and as they are released from the chute 23, they are printed without stopping them as they pass' on out of the machine. To effect this printing, there is provided a drum 34 which. is fast on the shaft 21 and which carries on its perimeter four printing pads 35 spaced 90 degrees apart. The drum 34 is rotated continuously by the shaft 21 and printing occurs four Ytimes during each of its revolutions. Concentric with the perimeter of the drum 34 are two arcuate members 36, yieldin l supported by the side frames 3 in a wel? gnown manner and located-one on either Yside of the printin'gv ads35 so that thatlpart of the carbon in its travel from the lower end of the chute 23. As the carbon is rolled,l it comes into contact with one of the printing pads 35, and this impresses the imprint upon the carbon which then rolls on.

Means are provided for supplying ink to the pads 35. This means includes well known instrumentalities, such for example as an ink fountain 37, a feeding roll 38, a transferring roll 39, a receivin roll 40, a distributing roll 41 and an i 'ng roll 42, the latter of which contacts directly with the printing pads 35 as the latter pass it. The feeding roll 38, as usual, is operated by means of a ratchet mechanism'43 operated by means of a connecting rod 44 and camactuated lever 45, the actuating cam being marked 46. Similarly, the transferring rol 39 is operated by means of a connecting rod 47 and cam-actuated lever 48. The construction and operation of this ink supplying etaile means being well known, a more d` description of the same is believed to be.

unnecessary to a full understanding of the resent invention, vand is therefore omitted in the interest of brevity. It may be stated, however, that the receiving roll 40 is driven by means of a inion'49 fast on its shaft and in mesh witsi a driving gear 50 which is fast on the shaft 21.

The printing and ejectingv means further includes a air of belts 51 running over a pulle 52 ast on a shaft 53 journaled in suita le bearings in the side frames driven by a chain overrunning a sprocket 54 on the shaft 53 and a sprocket 55 on the shaft 21. The belts 51-51 also Vrun over suitable idle pulleys not shown. As a printed carbon rolls out from between the perimeter of the drum 34 and the arcuate member 36, it rolls on these two .belts which are separated a sufficient distance to avoid smearing the imprint on the carbon. vTo avoid displacement endwise of the carbons on the belts 51-51, provided. These gui e rails may be moved toward and away from the middle of the machine by means of stems 57 upon which they are mounted, the stems being held in adjusted position by means of thumb screws 5 8. The surface speed of the belts 51--51 is such that the printed carbons are deposited thereon at spaced intervals so that the succeeding carbons will not touch each other to possibly smear the imprint until the ink has had time to dry.

In view ofthe foregoing, adetailed-description of the operation of the device is 3 and uide rails 56-56 are` omitted in the interest o brevity.

What is claimed is.:

1. A machine for printing arc-lamp car* bons, comprising a device for su porting a plurality of carbons, mechanism or varranging sai carbons in a row2 and means including a printingl drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it.

2. A. machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a pluralit of carbons, mechanism for arranging sai ,carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said device including a ho per having an adjustable end wall against w ich the carbons are aligned.

3. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a pluralit of carbons, mechanism or arranging sai carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging thev leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and' in so doin printing and ejecting it, said device including a hopper having an open end through which carbons are loaded thereinto.

4. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said device including a h opetiavin'g a carbon delivery throat in its o m.

5. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging saidvcarbons in a row, and means deemed to be and is therefore including a printingy drum directly engaging the ladin carbon in the row, separating it from sai row and in so doin printing and ejecting it, said deviceinclu 'ng a hopper having two sloping bottom sections converging be ow the centre of said hopper and there forming adelivery throat for the carbons.

6. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said device including a hopper `having an adjustable end wall, an open end, and a carbon delivery throat in its bottom.

7. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a A ing sai plurality of carbons, mechanism plurality of carbons,

ing said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including means for agitating the carbons in said device.

8. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism or arranging said carbons in a row, and -means 1ncluding a printing drum directly engaging the leading' carbon in the row, separating it from said row and inso doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including continuously movin means for agitating the carbons in said evice. 9. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism or arranging sai carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including continuously moving belts the o erating runs of which act upon carbons Wit in said device to agitate the same.

10. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doin printing and ejecting it, said device including a hopper having a carbon delivery throat in its bottom, and said mechanism including continuously moving belts operative at said throat and along said bottom to agitate the carbons in said device.

11. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising plurality of carbons, mechanism for arrangcarbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and eecting it, said mechanism including a c ute receiving carbons from said device.

12. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arrangmg said carbons 1n a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute receiving carbons from said device, and means for tem orarily holding a row of carbons in said c ute. Y 13. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for sufpporting a or arranga device for supporting ai l l e I l mechanism for arrangmg said carbons m a row and means 1ncluding a printing drum 'rectly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing rmting and. e'ecting it, said mechanism including a c nte receiving carbons from said device, and means for successively releasing carbons from said chute.

14. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a pluralit ot' car ons, mechanism or arrangmg sai carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing rinting and ejecting it, said mechanism inc uding a chute receiving carbons from said device, means for temporarily holding a row of carbons in said chute, and means for successively releasing carbons from said chute at regular intervals.

15. A machine for bons, comprising printing arc-lamp cara device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arrangmg sai( carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separatin it from said row and in so doing rintmg and ejecting it, said mechanism inc udin a chute receiving carbons from said device a detent for temporarily holding a row oi carbons in said chute, and means for moving said detent in and out of said chute.

16. A machine for rinting arc-lamp carbons comprising a evice for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon lin the row, separat- Iing it from sai row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute receiving carbons from said device, a detent for temporarily holding a row of carbons in said chute, and cam-actuated means for moving said detent in and out of said chute.

17. A machine for printing arc-lamp, carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbns in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute receiving carbons from said device, a detent for holding carbons in said chute while the leading carbon is being removed therefrom, and means for moving said detent in and out of said chute.

18. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising .a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for. arranging said carbons'in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row,l separatm ing it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute receivin carbons from said devide, a

detent for ho ding carbons in said chute while the leading carbon is being removed therefrom, and cam-actuated means for moving said detent in and out of said chute.

19. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engagingthe leading carbon. in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute receiving carbons from said device, a primary detent for temporarily holding a row of carbons in said chute, a secondary 'detent for holding carbons in said chute while the leading carbon is being removed therefrom, and means for alternatel moving said detente in and out of said c utc.

20. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging sai carbons in, a row, and means including-a printing drum directly lengaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and receiving carbons from said device, a primary detent for temporarily holding a row of carbons in said chute, a secondary detent for holding carbons in said chute while the leading carbon is being removed therefrom, and cam-actuated `means for alternately movin said detents in and out of said chute. 21. machine for printing arc-lamp carbons comprisin a device for su porting a plurality of car ns, mechanism or arrangmg' said carbons in a row, and means includin a printing drum directly eng g t e leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doin rinti and ejecting it, said means inclu ing a rum having printing means on its perimeter, an arcuate surface concentric with said perimeter and coacting therewith to roll a carbon therebetween, and means for rotating said drum. v

22. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arrangmg said carbons in a row, and means includin a printing drum directly engaging t e leading carbon in the row, separatin it from said row and in so doing rintin and ejecting it, said means includ- 111g a rum having printing means on its perimeter, a yielding arcuate surface concentric with said perimeter and coacting therewith to roll a carbon therebetween, and means for rotating said drum.

23. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a ejecting it, said mechanism including a chute plurality of ycarbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printin and ejecting it, said means includ mg a rum having a plurality of printing pads on its perimeter, an arcuate surface concentric with said perimeter and coacting therewith to roll a carbon therebetween, and means for rotating said drum.

24. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arranging said carbons in a row, and means including aprinting drum directly engaging the` leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing rintin and ejecting it, said means includmg a rum having printing means on its perimeter, an arcuate surface concentric with said perimeter and coacting therewith to roll a carbon therebetween, means for rotating said drum, and means for supplying ink to said printing means.

25. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a;

plurality of carbons, mechanism or arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separatin itI from said row and .in so doing rinting and ejecting it, said means including ejecting belts, and belt moving means.

26. A machine for printing arc-lamp car- 10 bons, comprising a device for su porting. a plurality of carbons, mechanism or arranging said carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing rinting and ejecting it, said means including ejecting belts, and means for continuously moving saidfbelts.

27. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for supporting a plurality of carbons, mechanism for arrangingsaid carbons in a row, and means including a printing drum directly engaging the leading carbon in the row, separatin it from said row and in so doing rinting and ejecting it, said means includ- 1ng ejecting belts, belt moving means, and guide rails alongside said belts.`

28. A machine for printing arc-lamp carbons, comprising a device for su porting a plurality of carbons, mechanism or arranging said carbons in a row, and means direct y engaging the leading carbon in the row, separating it from said row and in so doing printing and ejecting it, said device including a hopper having an adjustable end wall, an open end, and a carbon delivery throat in its bottom, said mechanism including means for agitating the carbons in said device, a chute receiving carbons from said device thi-ou h said throat, means for temporarily hol ing a row of carbonsin said .b

chute, means for successively releasing car- 5 bons from said chute,

ejecting means inclu printing means on its and said printing and ding a, drum 'having perimeter, an arcuate surface concentric lwith c seid. perimeter land coactlng therewith to roll 'a 'carbon `therename to this specification.

CARL W. JOHNSON.

etween, means for rotating said drum, m. 

